Known by many as the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley has been a big name in the music industry since the 1950's. However, it is often overlooked and forgotten that from 1956 until 1969 Elvis was also the star in 31 motion pictures. While many were regarded as trite and similar to all his others, Elvis' acting career can be appreciated through a movie marathon that showcases his best-known and well-played roles. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Watch Love Me Tender, the 1956 film that started Elvis' movie career. Elvis plays Clint Reno, the Reno brother who stayed home while brother Vance fought in the Civil War for the Confederate army. Conflicts arise when Vance comes home from the war and finds that Clint is married to his old girlfriend Cathy. Elvis' song "Love Me Tender" is performed during the film.
2. Watch Jailhouse Rock, the 1957 film that stars Elvis as felon-turned-rockstar Vince Everett who is in danger of forgetting the little people that helped him become an overnight rock sensation. "Jailhouse Rock," one of Elvis' well-known blockbuster hits, is performed during the film.
3. Watch G.I. Blues, one of the Elvis films of 1960 that was received a bit better than some of the others. Elvis stars as G.I. Tulsa McLean, who bets his friends that Sergent "Dynamite" Bixby will successfully seduce and spend the night with cabaret dancer Lili (who is deemed "untouchable"). When Dynamite is transferred, Tulsa replaces him in the bet--and winds up falling in love with Lili, causing him to attempt to call the whole bet off.
4. Watch Blue Hawaii, a 1961 Elvis film that is set right in Hawaii (one of Elvis' favorite vacation spots). Elvis stars as Chad Gates, a man just released from the Army and thrilled to be back in Hawaii among his family and friends. His father wants him to work at a fruit company, but Chad chooses instead to work at his girlfriend's agency as a tour guide.
5. Watch Viva Las Vegas, the 1964 movie starring both Elvis Presley and big-name co-star Ann Margaret. Elvis portrays race car driver Lucky Jackson, who goes to Las Vegas with hopes to make enough dough to pay for a new engine for his car. Lucky takes on a job as a waiter to make some cash, and spends time romancing Rusty Martin (Ann Margaret). Both Elvis and Ann Margaret sing a multitude of solos and duets throughout the film. This is arguably the best and most well-known Elvis movie of Elvis' career.
6. Watch Paradise Hawaiian Style, the 1966 film that brought Elvis back to his favorite island of Hawaii. He stars as Rick Richards, a helicopter pilot who starts up a harter flying service in Hawaii. Join Rick as he tries to balance flying, friends and all the girls he meets.
7. Watch Speedway, the 1968 film that puts Nancy Sinatra as Elvis' female co-star. This time, Elvis is Steve Grayson, a stock car driver with a huge debt in back taxes that hinders his competitive racing.
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